
Augmented Preview
Preview: Season 49 Episode 4 | 31sVideo has Closed Captions
An ingenious new technology allows prosthetic legs to move and feel like the real thing.
Follow the dramatic personal journey of Hugh Herr, a biophysicist working to create brain-controlled robotic limbs. At age 17, Herr’s legs were amputated after a climbing accident. Frustrated by the crude prosthetic limbs he was given, Herr set out to remedy their design, leading him to a career as an inventor of innovative prosthetic devices.
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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

Augmented Preview
Preview: Season 49 Episode 4 | 31sVideo has Closed Captions
Follow the dramatic personal journey of Hugh Herr, a biophysicist working to create brain-controlled robotic limbs. At age 17, Herr’s legs were amputated after a climbing accident. Frustrated by the crude prosthetic limbs he was given, Herr set out to remedy their design, leading him to a career as an inventor of innovative prosthetic devices.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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NOVA Labs
NOVA Labs is a free digital platform that engages teens and lifelong learners in games and interactives that foster authentic scientific exploration. Participants take part in real-world investigations by visualizing, analyzing, and playing with the same data that scientists use.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipThe Evolution of Prosthetic Leg Technology
Video has Closed Captions
Amputation procedures haven't changed much since the Civil War era. (5m 11s)
Increasing Access to Brain-Controlled Prosthetics
Video has Closed Captions
Bionic interventions might allow people to one day design their own limbs. (2m 55s)
Climbers Tell Story of Mt. Washington Climbing Accident
Video has Closed Captions
Climbing partners have a harrowing experience on Mount Washington in NH. (5m 10s)
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.